Doing drugs and alcohol

Some people who’ve been sexually assaulted or abused, use alcohol or drugs to help them cope or block out painful or uncomfortable feelings. Avoiding these feelings and thoughts doesn’t make them disappear. They need to be dealt with properly.

Using drugs and alcohol can stop you from dealing with the real issues you are facing and cause other problems
at the same time.

If you use drugs and alcohol to help you cope, you might notice:

You can’t go out without drugs or alcohol

You use drugs or alcohol by yourself

You become obsessed with using drugs

You stop doing things you used to do, like going to school, going out and seeing people

You do things you wouldn’t usually do, like getting into arguments or fights, wanting to hurt yourself or breaking the law.

Talk to a trusted adult
or a professional who can help you deal with the issues you are facing and work out positive ways to cope.